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Blazing wildfires
Wildfires occur across the world, but the US is The flames of the Peshtigo fire even
particularly prone to them. These uncontrolled leaped across the River Peshtigo
blazes move at speeds of twenty-three kilometres and waters of the Green Bay!
an hour, consuming everything in their way. Dry
weather and winds, heatwaves, and drought make
perfect conditions for a wildfire. A stray spark is all
it takes to start a fire!
Peshtigo fire, Wisconsin, US, 1871
On 8 October, 1871, the worst recorded wildfire raged through north-eastern Wisconsin
and upper Michigan in the US. The forest was completely dry, with barely any
rain that year between July and October. Waste and debris from logging were
lying in the clearings. Small fires burnt by settlers were common and did
not cause much concern. On the day of the fire, a windstorm fanned
these smaller fires into one big conflagration. Hurricane-induced
winds had turned the wildfire into a tornado of fire, blowing
away and tossing roofs, barns, and trees.
Wildfires occur across the world, but the US is The flames of the Peshtigo fire even
particularly prone to them. These uncontrolled leaped across the River Peshtigo
blazes move at speeds of twenty-three kilometres and waters of the Green Bay!
an hour, consuming everything in their way. Dry
weather and winds, heatwaves, and drought make
perfect conditions for a wildfire. A stray spark is all
it takes to start a fire!
Peshtigo fire, Wisconsin, US, 1871
On 8 October, 1871, the worst recorded wildfire raged through north-eastern Wisconsin
and upper Michigan in the US. The forest was completely dry, with barely any
rain that year between July and October. Waste and debris from logging were
lying in the clearings. Small fires burnt by settlers were common and did
not cause much concern. On the day of the fire, a windstorm fanned
these smaller fires into one big conflagration. Hurricane-induced
winds had turned the wildfire into a tornado of fire, blowing
away and tossing roofs, barns, and trees.
